Connector for cable-like member



June 1-6, 1964 M. BETHEA, JR

CONNECTOR FOR CABLE-LIKE MEMBER Filed Feb. 13, 1965 2 H d// mm 5 \\\w, M

INVENTOR. MALCOLM 5ETHA,JK l -W 3 ,M W

A fforntys United States; Patent r ce CONNECTOR FOR CABLE-LIKEMEMBER Malcolm Bethea, Jr., P.0. Box 1407, Bn-mmgham, Ala. Filed Feb. 13, 1963, Ser. No. 258,218 1 Claim. (Cl. 24123) This invention relates to a connector for a cable-like member and more particularly to a connector for connecting a loop of a cable-like member to a supporting structure. a

An object of my invention is to provide a connector of the character designated in which the cable loop can be made up on the ground whereby a minimum of work is performed at high elevations.

Another. object of my invention is to provide a clevistype connector for connecting a cable-like loop to a supporting structure in which the connector will receive the cable loop without having to remove the clevis pm or other connections.

Another object of my invention is to provide a connector of the character designated which shall include a builtin pulling eye whereby pull may be applied to the connector.

Another object of my invention is to provide a clevistype connector of the character designated which will align itself with the direction of pull on the cable regardless of the direction that the cable assumes and regardless of cable size.

A further object of my invention is to provide a connector of the character designated which is particularly adapted for use by electrical linemen whereby guy-wires and other cable-like members may be connected to suitable supporting structures, such as high strength towers, poles and the like.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a 3,137,051 Patented J une 16, 1964 Referringnow to the drawing for a better understanding of my invention, my improved connector comprises an elongated. body member having a clevis 11 at one 7 end thereof. The clevis is provided with the usual clevis connector of the character designated which shall be extremely simple of construction, economical of manufacture and one which may be installed with a minimum of cost and labor since most of the work incurred in assembling the connector is performed on the ground rather than being performed at high elevations.

Heretofore, it has been the usual practice to connect guys and other cable-like members to supporting structures for power lines and the like by employing clevistype connectors in which the clevis pin must be removed for the insertion of the cable. Not only does this incur considerable time and effort, but the work must be performed at high elevations.

Briefly, my improved connector comprises a body member having a clevis at one end thereof for connecting the body member to a suitable supporting structure. An outwardly extending portion is provided on the body member intermediate the ends thereof which defines a bearing surface for receiving a loop of a cable-like member. Laterally projecting ears are provided adjacent the other end of the body member in position to receive the loop of the cable-like member while the ears are in one position relative to the loop and to engage and limit outward movement of the loop relative to the bearing surface while the ears are in another position relative to the loop.

A connector embodying features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application, in which: i

FIG. 1 is a top plan view showing the connector attached to a loop of a cable-like member;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view showing the laterally projecting ears of the connector extending generally parallel to the cable-like member whereby the ears are adapted for insertion into the loop; and,

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the connector showing the loop of the cable-like member in dotted lines.

pin 12 which is held in place by a cotter pin' 13. The clevis is adapted for attachment to any suitable supporting structure for a power line or the like, such as a high strength tower, wooden pole, and the like.

. Formed integrally with the other end of the elongated body member 10 are laterally projecting ears 14 and 16.

- As shown in FIG. 3, the laterally projecting ears are positioned adjacent the upper portion of the body member 10, whereby the Loop of the cable member indicated generally at 17 is, adapted to engage the under surface of the ears after installation. The ears 14 and 16 are of a size and length to be positioned within the elongated loop portion 17 of the cable-like member when the ears '14 and 16 are positioned in a plane extending generally parallel to the cable-like member, as shown in FIG. 2. On the other hand, upon rotation of the body member 10 to position the ears 14 and 16 normal to the cable-like member, the ears 14 and 16' overlie the loop 17.

Formed integrally with the elongated body member 10 intermediate the clevis 11 and the ears 14 and 16 is an outwardly extending portion 18 which defines a bearing surface for the cable loop, as clearly shown in FIG. 3. Preferably, the bearing surface 18 is generally semi-circular as viewed in plan and is concave to aid in holding the loop 17 in place.

A through opening 19 is provided in the elongated body member 10 adjacent the ears 14 and 16 to provide a builtin pulling eye for a suitable puller, such as a come-aong.

From the foregoing description, the operation and installation of my improved connector will be readily understood. The loop 17 is formed in the cable-like member or the loop may be a preformed loop which is attached to a cable. The loop is then placed over the ears 14 and 16 of the body member 10, as shown in FIG. 2, whereby the ears extend in a plane generally parallel to the cable-like member. In this position, the elongated loop formed in the cable-like member receives the ears 14 and 16 whereby the adjacent end of the body member 10 may be inserted into the loop 17. After insertion of the ears into the loop 17, the body member 10 is rotated to the position shown in FIG. 1 whereby the ears 14 and 16 extend in a plane generally normal to the cable-like member. In this position, the loop 17 is seated against the bearing surface 18 while the sides thereof pass beneath the ears 14 and 16, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, to thereby secure the connector to the cable. If desired, a comea-long may be hooked into eye 19 of the body member whereby pull may be exerted on the connector in a manner well understood in the art.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have devised an improved connector for connecting a loop of a cablelike member to a supporting structure. By providing a clevis-type connector which may be connected to the loop of a cable-like member without having to remove the clevis pin and without having to thread a cable through the ears of a thimble-like member, my improved connector not only may be connected to various types of attachment devices, such as high strength towers, poles and the like, but the loop may be preformed on the ground to eliminate high work by the lineman. Also, by providing a connector in which the loop of the cable-like member is adapted for rotation relative to a bearing surface and is still retained in position by locking ears, my improved connector will line itself up with the direction of pull applied to the cable, regardless of the direction that the cable assumes relative to the supporting structure and relimited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifi cations without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set'forth in the appended claim. I

What I claim is:

A connector for connecting an elongated loop of a cable-like member to a supporting structure comprising: (a) an elongated body member having a clevis at one end thereof for pivotally connecting said body member to a supporting structure, said clevis having two spaced apart arms, each of said arms having an opening therein, said openings being adapted to receive pin means, I (b) a pair of ears on the other end of said body member, said ears projecting laterally from opposite sides of said body member, a

(c') an outwardly extending curved portion on said Y 4;, body member intermediate and spaced a substantial distance from both said ears and said clevis in position to face the clevis and define a curved bearing surface disposed to pass" freely into and out of said loop, said outwardly extending curved portion being on the same side of said body member as said ears, and

(01) said ears being of a size and positioned to pass freely between-the sides of said elongated loop while said ears are extending in a plane generally parallel to the sides of said loop and to engage the sides of said loop and limit outward movement of said loop relative to said bearing surface (while said .ears are extending in a plane generally perpendicular to the sides of said loop. f

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Robbins Sept. 4, 

